The regional government spokesman says that negotiations with Aena are still underway

Regional government spokesman José Ballesta has confirmed today that the decision by Aeromur to enter pre-bankruptcy proceedings will not affect the government’s route map at all, and that the aim is to open the new international airport at Corvera as soon as possible “in the interests of all Murcianos”.

According to Sr Ballesta, the decision made by Sacyr has no influence at all on the regional government’s decision, and all the plans and dates decided on remain unchanged. At the same time, he reiterated that negotiations with Aena( who operate San Javier) regarding the transfer of flights from Corvera to San Javier are still ongoing.

Last week President Valcárcel attended a debate in the regional parliament to answer questions about a number of topics relating to the region, amongst them the airport. He said that “there will be a concurso ( competition, bidding process) for the concession and Aena is going to take part. It may win, it may not.” He also claimed that a firm agreement had been reached with Aena to close San Javier for commercial activity in favour of Corvera, and that the intention was to begin the transfer process from San Javier to Corvera in April next year in order to be ready for the summer season.

In the opinion of Sr Ballesta, Sacyr’s decision to request pre-bankruptcy status for the airport, which has a 200-million-euro debt, is “unilateral”, lies within the rights of the consortium which is headed by Sacyr, and has nothing to do with the regional government. As a result he has no comment to offer, reiterating instead that whoever is awarded the new airport management contract will also be obliged to take on the responsibilities which were specified in the previous concession.

Meanwhile Begoña García Retegui, spokeswoman for the opposition PSOE party in the regional parliament, has requested that Juan Bernal, the regional vice-president, appear in parliament to explain the possible economic consequences of the rescission of Aeromur’s management contract. In the past, President Ramón Luis Valcárcel has stated that the airport will cost nothing to the people of Murcia, but Sra García Retegui says that over 65 million euros of public funds have in fact been spent on land purchases and access roads. This is before taking into account the 200-million-euro guarantee issued to Aeromur, which she says is almost certain to be executed in the light of the company’s bankruptcy proceedings.

José Antonio Pujante, speaking for the IU-Verdes, also called for Juan Bernal to appear before the Regional Assembly and said that in his opinion the government should,
“ face up to a fiasco that may have serious repercussions on the economy of the Region of Murcia" and "assume the political responsibilities arising from this situation."
He also said that this current situation is a result of " wasting public money on totally absurd and meaningless projects" and asked if the President of the Autonomous Community, Ramón Luis Valcárcel, "would put his own assets as collateral for the airport construction, as he has done with public money. "

There is now a legal period of a maximum of four months to enable Aeromur to renegotiate its financial commitments with the banks or formally enter bankruptcy.

The story has made the Spanish national dailies , the words "Murcias ghost airport" used in more than one publication.

The full history of the Corvera airport construction ( and its a long and complicated one) can be found in the archive articles, click Corvera airport